Japanese name: ノボロギク（野襤褸菊） Scientific name:Senecio vulgaris
[Overview]
An annual about 50 cm tall, found along roadsides and similar places.
The stem is somewhat succulent, much branched, and sparsely hairy.
The leaves are alternate, broadly linear, and irregularly pinnately lobed; they have no petiole, and the base clasps the stem like an ear.
Corymbs at the top of the stem bear flower heads about 8 mm long, consisting only of yellow tubular flowers.
The involucre is bell-shaped to cylindrical, 8–10 mm long, and green; at its base are small bracts with black tips.
The achene is 1.5–2.5 mm long and has white pappus.
[History]
It arrived in Japan in the early Meiji period and has become naturalized throughout the country. It becomes a serious weed in moist fields.
